When Jon Krakauer reached the summit of Mt. Everest in the early afternoon of May 10,1996, he hadn’t slept in fifty-seven hours and was reeling from the brain-altering effects of oxygen depletion. As he turned to begin the perilous descent from 29,028 feet (roughly the cruising altitude of an Airbus jetliner), twenty other climbers were still pushing doggedly to the top, unaware that the sky had … had begun to roil with clouds…
Into Thin Air is the definitive account of the deadliest season in the history of Everest by the acclaimed Outside journalist and author of the bestselling Into the Wild. Taking the reader step by step from Katmandu to the mountain’s deadly pinnacle, Krakauer has his readers shaking on the edge of their seat. Beyond the terrors of this account, however, he also peers deeply into the myth of the world’s tallest mountain. What is is about Everest that has compelled so many poeple–including himself–to throw caution to the wind, ignore the concerns of loved ones, and willingly subject themselves to such risk, hardship, and expense?
Written with emotional clarity and supported by his unimpeachable reporting, Krakauer’s eyewitness account of what happened on the roof of the world is a singular achievement.
From the Paperback edition.
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Loved this book. Everything Everest fascinates me.
A personal account of the disastrous most deadly season in the history of Mt. Everest. It starts with the author making the decision to make the trek all the way through to the summit. The difficulties and tragedies, the effects of the weather and altitude on the climbers and the exhilleration of summit. It was an enjoyable read, but tragic and …
Great book
This is one of the few books I had to occasionally put down—not because it wasn’t engaging, but I had to catch my breath! Krakauer’s experience on Everest is exhilarating and heartbreaking, and his recounting of the details of the deadly expedition he was on with a cathartic air to his prose. One of my favorite books of all time.
Excellent book!
Makes you feel like you are climbing Mt. Everest and experiencing this tragedy with the author.
It reads like an adventure story, a suspense thriller, a tragedy, and yet an uplifting story. As one review stated, “It’s almost as if Jon Krakauer’s life were always leading up to Into Thin Air.”
Could no put it down
I read this book about 15 years ago and then had the pleasure of hearing Beck Wethers tell his story in person. This book kept me on the edge of my chair.
An incredible adventure. Well written and alluring.
Very well written book. Keeps your attention from start to finish. Highly recommend.
I was engrossed in this book, but I’m also an avid climber. The book was very descriptive and detailed in its commentary about the climb. I felt like I was there, in base camp, at times. On my list of all time favorites. Krakauer did his homework before he wrote it.
I have a fascination with climbing in general but also with Everest stories. Jon Krakauer’s voice is a good one to follow up this amazing mountain. I was so captivated by this book I read it twice, which I never do but I loved it that much. If asked right now, I could probably read it a third time. The struggle of climbing this mountain of all …
One of the best of the genre, if you don’t already know what happened on Mount Everest that year, this will read like a cliff-hanger … and it’s all true. My sympathies to the families of those who didn’t return.
Very will written and a great story, but when I read it the tragedy was still fresh in everyone’s minds, and it was a very difficult read. I don’t necessarily recommend it, but if you’re interested, be prepared: it grabs you and doesn’t let go until the last awful, needless death. TRAGEDY in capital letters.
Great book! Great writing that makes you feel you are part of the climbing team; I could feel the cold and fatigue.
An amazing true story about what drives people to go to places that are dangerous when they may not be mentally or physically prepared!
I loooooove all of Jon Krakauer’s books & writing and this is one of favorites. His account of the Everest incident is thoroughly researched and compellingly told. I was gripped to the beginning to the end of this story. Without moralizing or judging, he gives a poignant and intriguing portrait of the climbers he focused on. Brilliant.
A great book, one of those can’t-put-it-down gems that lurk in unexpected places in the mind for days and weeks after you finish. If you don’t know what happened on Mount Everest in late April of 1996, or even if you know a bit of the story, this is the definitive account.
Read this several years ago. Great writing about a true story.